Combination handrail and wall protector

ABSTRACT

A handrail comprises an elongated, substantially rigid retainer and an elongated moderately resilient trim piece received on the retainer, the retainer and trim piece together defining an elongated hollow unit. The trim piece is made of a durable, impact-resistant, resilient material and is mounted on the retainer in a manner affording limited and controlled deformation and displacement for absorption of energy upon impacting of the trim piece by some object. Nonetheless, an outwardly convexly curved handgrip portion on the trim piece is supported and is in engagement with a correspondingly curved handgrip portion of the retainer so that the retainer imparts substantial rigidity to the handgrip portion of the trim piece. The retainer and trim piece are shaped in cross-section and provided with appropriate retaining structure such that the trim piece may be snapped into place on the retainer after the retainer has been installed.

l mited States Patent [1 1 Bartlett et al.

[111 3,825,229 July 23, 1974 COMBINATION HANDRAIL AND WALL PROTECTOR[75] Inventors: Gary F. Bartlett, Muncy, Pa.;

Patrick L. Zampetti, Cranford, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Construction Specialties Inc.,

Cranford, NJ.

[22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 312,849

[52] US. Cl 256/59, 248/251, 256/13.1, 52/716 [51] Int. Cl E04h 17/14[58] Field of Search 256/59, 65-70,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,512,203 6/1950 Fluharty .Q.l 256/59 UX 2,873,095 2/1959 Blum 256/65 3,114,244 12/1963 Silver52/495 X 3,239,070 3/1966 Clauson 256/59 X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 509,121 1/1955 Italy 248/251 1,475,039 2/1967 France.....

161,721 12/1957 Sweden 256/65 206,021 7/1966 Sweden ..256/59 60,13711/1969 Germany ..256/59 Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue & Raymond i 5 7 ABSTRACT Ahandrail comprises an elongated, substantially rigid retainer and anelongated moderately resilient trim piece received on the retainer, theretainer and trim piece together defining an elongated hollow unit. Thetrim piece is made of a durable, impact-resistant, resilient materialand is mounted on the retainer in a manner affording limited andcontrolled deformation and displacement for absorption of energy uponimpacting of the trim piece by some object. Nonetheless, an outwardlyconvexly curved handgrip portion on the trim piece is supported and isin engagement with a correspondingly curved handgrip portion of theretainer so that the retainer imparts substantial rigidity to thehandgrip portion of the trim piece. The retainer and trim piece areshaped in cross-section and provided with appropriate retainingstructure such that the trim 'piece may be snapped into place on theretainer after the retainer has been installed.

2 5 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures COMBINATION HANDRAIL AND WALL PROTECTORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Handrails are used for various purposes inall types of buildings. For example, handrails are provided alongstairways and as a top rail of a barrier at a stair opening or at theedge of a balcony. Hospitals and nursing homes will frequently havehandrails along all corridors and in some cases on. one or more walls ofvarious rooms. The principal purpose of handrails in hospitals, nursinghomes and similar institutions where infirm persons are-likely to bemoving about is, of course, to provide a handhold for the occupants bywhich they may gain support in moving about. Accordingly, the handrailsmust be rigidly mounted and constructed in a manner providing for firmload-bearing support. Various handrail systems ranging from simplewooden sections to a rather elaborate multi-part metal handrail systemsappropriately bracketed from the walls have been proposed and used inthe past.

Many types ofv buildings, especially hospitals and nursing homes, have aserious problem of wall and handrail damages resulting from the movementof carts, wheel chairs and the like about the building. Invariably,moving equipment such as snack wagons, mail carts, food carts, variousequipment carts and rolling equipment, patients beds and the like,impact against their walls or, where used, handrails. In a relativelyshort period after installation, almost all types of handrails proposedand used heretofor have been marred, dented, possibly broken orotherwise rendered unsightly and perhaps weakened, particularly at theirmounting points, from the abuse of such impacting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is provided, in accordance with theinvention, a handrail that provides a rigid hand-gripping portion forassisting persons moving about, which is its principal purpose, but alsois made of materials and constructed in a manner that permits it toundergo severe abuse by impacting with almost no chance of damage to itor a surface upon which it may be mounted. In the latter regard, asecondary, but very important, function of the handrail of the presentinvention is to protect a wall surface against impacting by carts andother objects moving through corridors or other locations where thehandrail isprovided. The handrail presents an outwardly exposed surfaceconstituted by a member made of strong, impact resistant, resilientmaterial that is able to withstand impacts, such as direct or glancingengagement under force by carts and other objects with very littlechance for marring, denting or breakage. Any marring that does occur maybe relatively easily cleaned, since the material is highly durable torepeated cleanings and requires only relatively conventional cleaners,as distinguished from the polishing or refinishing required for wood andmetals.

More particularly, a handrail, according to the invention, comprises anelongated, substantially rigid retainer that constitutes the primarystructural component. The retainer is of substantially uniformcrosssection along its length and has in cross-section a me dialportion, an outwardly convexly curved handgrip portion at one end of themedial portion and a retainer flange at the other end of the medialportion. The other primary component of the handrail is an elongatedtrim piece that is received on the retainer. It includes a medialportion that is spaced from the medial portion of the retainer and anoutwardly convexly and smoothly curved handgrip portion that fits overthe handgrip portion of the retainer. The respective handgrip portionsof the retainer and trim piece are of matching shape in cross-sectionover significant portions of their extents and are in engagement in suchareas of matching crosssection so that the trim piece receives directsupport in the handgrip portion from the rigid retainer. A retainerflange along the other edge of the trim piece engages the retainerflange on the retainer. Retention of the trim piece on the retainer isthus obtained by the combined effect of interengagement between thehandgrip portions of the two pieces and the inter-fitting flanges at theother ends of the pieces.

As mentioned briefly above, the trim piece is made of a durable, impactresistant, resilient material, preferably a polymeric material. Manydurable, impact resistant, resilient polymeric materials are known andare commercially available. For example, particularly good results areobtained with a copolymer of acrylic acid and polyvinyl chloridepolymers. As initially formed, the trim piece, which may be made as acontinuous extrusion of an appropriate initial length and then shop orfield cut to an appropriate lengthfor the particular installation, hasan initial cross-section in which certain dimensions are somewhat lessthan the dimensions as installed in the retainer. Accordingly, uponinstallation of the retainer, such dimensions are increased and, in theprocess, preload forces generated by the storage of energy due toinitial deformation of the trim piece upon installation that hold thetrim piece in place on the retainer. Another advantage of the resiliencyof the retainer is the ability, taken in conjunction with the relativecross-sectional shapes of the retainer and trim piece, to snap the trimpiece in place on the retainer after the retainer has been appropriatelyinstalled in the building.

The inherent resiliency of the trim piece and the manner in which thetrim piece is mounted on the retainer provide for controlled deformationof the shape of the trim piece and limited deflection of the trim piecerelative to the retainer upon impact. In particular, at least one edgeof the trim piece engages the retainer in a manner that affords movementof that end relative to the retainer. Moreover, the trim piece andretainer are shaped and dimensioned relative to each other such that animpact to the retainer results in some form of a camming action thattends to deform the shape of the trim piece. Such deformation of thetrim piece inherently results in absorption of at least some of theenergy of the impact in the form of resilient deformation. Upontermination of the impact, the resilience of the trim piece or, morespecifically, the forces generated by the energy stored during impact,return the trim piece to its original shape, and the camming arrangementoperates in reverse to restore the trim piece into proper position onthe retainer.

In addition to providing energy absorption through the dimensional andgeometrical relationships between the trim piece and the retainer,additional energy absorbing elements may be included; for example,resiliently compressible shock elements interposed between the trimpiece and the retainer may absorb some of the energy of impact.

Regardless of how energy is absorbed in the handrail, whether bydeformation of the trim piece or deformation of shock absorbing elementsincorporated in addition to the trim piece, much of the energy of animpact to the handrail is isolated from the retainer and from mountingbrackets or other fasteners by which the handrail is mounted on a wallor other support. Accordingly, the likelihood of damage or breakage tothe retainer or weakening or damage in the bracketing or other form ofmounting connection is almost impossible under conditions that arelikely to occur. The impact resistance and durability of the trim piece,moreover, enable it to take a great deal of abuse with a minimum ofmarring or other evidence of such abuse.

A handrail, according to the present invention, preferably includes adecorative and protective end cap at each end of a section of thehandrail. Inasmuch as the handrails are hollow and also because animpact directly at an exposed end of the trim piece could displace thetrim piece longitudinally along the retainer, both esthetic andfunctional considerations make it advisable to provide some form of endcap. As described in greater detail below, the invention provides endcaps that are very securely mounted at the terminal end of a length ofthe handrail so that they are capable of absorbing heavy impacts withoutbeing dislodged. Moreover, the end caps provide a shaping of the endportion of the trim piece to insure contiguity between the surfaces ofthe end cap and the trim piece where they meet.

Other features and advantages of the invention may be better understoodby reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments ofthe invention taken in conjunction with the figures of the accompanyingdrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an end view in cross-section ofone embodiment of a handrail, in accordance with the invention,installed on a typical wall.

FIG. 2 is an end view in cross-section of another embodiment of ahandrail;

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are sequential views in end cross-section of ahandrail in accordance with FIG. 1, illustrating how the trim piece isinstalled and how it behaves under impact;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are end cross-sectional views of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 showing how the trim piece is installed and the effect of animpact;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a terminal end of a section of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2 and showing a decorative and protective end capinstalled at such terminal end;

FIG. 4 is an end cross-section taken generally along the lines 4-4 ofFIG. 3 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view from the rear of an end of a handrail havinganother form of decorative and protective end cap installed, the viewalso illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an end cap for the end of a section of ahandrail of form illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an end view in cross-section taken generally along the line 77of FIG. 6 and in the direction of the arrows and also showing how theend cap is secured to the retainer.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings, handrails with which the invention is concerned areintended primarily for mounting directly on a wall in a corridor orroom. An exemplary installation, which is illustrated in both FIGS. 1and 2, is on a plaster wall in which a base coat l0 and a finish coat 12of plaster are applied to metal lath 14. Inasmuch as the handrail mustbe rigidly and strongly mounted on the wall, it is best for it to beintegrated into the structural frame-work of the wall. For example,horizontal girts 16 extending between structural studs and stronglysecured to them may be appropriate as a backup behind the handrail. Thehandrail, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 20, isappropriately bracketed or mounted by a fastener and spacer system (asillustrated in the figures) an appropriate distance away from the wall.In FIGS. 1 and 2, the handrail 20 is mounted by toggle bolts 22 thatextend through the retainer, a rigid spacer 24, a hole in the plasterand lath wall and through the web of the girt 16. Various ways ofmounting the handrail other than those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are, ofcourse, appropriate and well within the ordinary skill. For example,various types of brackets and various fastening systems for use withwall constructions other than plaster can be employed. Moreover, thehandrail may be as an element of a railing or can be used on freestanding posts. Ordinarily, it will be mounted in the positionsindicated in the figures with the handgrip portion uppermost and willhave the handrail portion at a uniform distance above a floor, stair orramp.

Although there are, as is readily apparent from the drawings, specificdifferences between the two embodiments of the handrail illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, both of the handrails are characterized bycertain common features. Both embodiments are composed of two principalelements, a substantially rigid elongated retainer 30 and a trim piece32 that is substantially coextensive longitudinally with the retainer.The upper ends of the retainer and trim piece are formed with convexlycurved portions that together constitute a handgrip portion (designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 34) of the handrail system. The lowertermination of each trim piece 32 has an inturned flange 36 that isreceived on a retainer flange 38 on the retainer. In both embodimentssubstantial portions of the handgrip portion of a trim piece andretainer are of matching curvature and are in engagement with eachother. Moreover, the handgrip portions curve through an angle ofsomething in excess of so that the terminal end of the handgrip portionof the trim piece returns back generally toward the medial portion ofthe trim piece and is thereby captured by the handgrip portion of theretainer. Other similarities in the structural and functionalcharacteristics of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings will beevident from the descriptions below of the individual embodiments ingreater detail.

The retainer of a handrail, according to the invention, is preferablymade of extruded aluminum, although rolled or bent members of othermetals or rigid plastics formed by appropriate methods are possible.Aluminum, however, has the advantages of light weight, high strength,ease of workability, corrosion resistance and other desirablecharacteristics that make it preferred. The trim piece, as mentionedabove, is preferably extruded from an appropriate polymeric material,many of which are well known to those skilled in the art. Polymericmaterials (commonly referred to as plastics) can be manufactured invarious colors and can be processed to provide attractive finishingsurfaces. The ability to obtain color coordination for decorativepurposes, the resistance of the highly durable plastics to marring andmany chemicals, durability under and ease of cleaning andthe energyabsorption characteristics offer significant advantages over wood, metaland other materials commonly used for handrails.

The embodiment of FIG. I of the drawings includes a retainer having, incross-section, a medial portion composed of a planar part 48 and a pairof mutually divergent portions 50 and 52 extending from the ends of theplanar portion 48. The retainer flange 38 turns downwardly and generallyaway from the medial portion of the trim piece 32 at the end of thedivergent portion 52. The handgrip portion 34 of the retainer 30 extendsfrom the end of the other divergent portion 50 and is designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 54. A large part of the handgripportion 54 matches in cross-section the shape of the handgrip portion ofthe retainer 32 and is in engagement with it. The free end of thehandgrip portion 54 of the retainer is formed diverging portion 50 ofthe medial portion and the handgrip portion 54 of the retainer. The endof the with an inwardly extending flange 56 that strengthens andstiffens the terminal end of the handgrip portion. A portion of thehandgrip part of the retainer, however, extending from approximatelyhalfway along its extent in cross-section is spaced a substantialdistance from the corresponding portion of the handgrip part of the,trim piece to leave a generally crescent shaped space 58. The existenceof the space 58 is primarily a result of providing a dimension A acrossthe handgrip portion 54 of the retainer (see FIG. 1A) which, althoughsomewhat greater than the'dimension B between the free edge of the trimpiece and a generally oppositely located point along the medial portionof the trim piece,

is not so great as to make it difficult to push the trim piece intoplace over the top of the retainer.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a'shoulder 60 is left at the juncture between thematching portion of the handgrip of the retainer and the set backportion to facilitate initially capturing and aligning the handgripportion of the trim piece with the handgrip portion of the retainerprior to pushing the handgrip portion of the trim piece onto theretainer by applying a force in the direction indicated by the arrows Fin FIG. 1A.

The trim piece 32 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a medial portioncomposed of a pair of mutually divergent portions 62 and 64 that mergerelatively smoothly in a region 'near the vertical center of the overallcross-section. The corresponding mutually divergent portions of theretainer and trim piece generally converge so that the overall form ofthe handrail is a hollow box-like structure. The upper end of the upperdiverging portion 64 of the trim piece merges smoothly into the curvedhandgrip portion of the trim piece, which is designated in FIG. 1 by thereference numeral 66. The handgrip portion 66 curves through an anglesomewhat in excess of 180, and the free end-returns generally toward themedial portion of the trim piece and is received in a slot 68 that opensaway from the trim piece and is defined by the, juncture between thelower diverging portion 62 of the medial part of the trim pieceterminates in the return flange 36 and defines a slot that opensgenerally toward the medial portion of the trim piece and receives theretainer flange 38 on the retainer.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C of the drawings, the trim piece 32 isinitially formed with an overall dimension along the generally verticalaxis of the handrail (the dimension labelled C in FIG. 1A) that isslightly less, say one-fourth to one-half inch less, than the maximumdimension along the vertical axis be tween the extremities of theretainer (labelled D in FIG. 1A).

Accordingly, in order to assemble the trim piece onto the retainer, itis necessary that the initial shape of the trim piece 32 be deformed byopening up the dimension C to correspond to the dimension D. In theprocess of so deforming the trim piece, energy becomes stored in it, andsuch energy generates a force that holds the trim piece in place on theretainer.

The process of installing the trim piece on the retainer involves firstpositioning the trim piece with the free end of the handgrip portion 66captured under the shoulder 60 on the retainer. This involves a moderatedeformation of the handgrip portion in a manner slightly enlarging thedimension B over the original dimension B. The next step is to apply aforce in the general direction of the arrows F in FIG. 1A to push thehandgrip portion 66 of the trim piece into position over the handgripportion 54 of the retainer, thereby reaching approximately the positionillustrated in FIG. 1B.

The dimension E (FIG. 1B) between the free edge of the handgrip portion66 of the trim piece and a point generally opposite such free edge onthe medial portion of the trim piece is somewhat greater in the trimpiece as installed on the retainer than it was in the trim piece asoriginally formed. Accordingly, attainment of the position illustratedin FIG. 1B involves storing energy in the handgrip portion of the trimpiece, such energy producing a preload force tending to draw the lowerportion of the trim piece into engagement with the lower portion of theretainer, as shown in FIG. 1B, and also tending to hold the trim piecein place on the retainer upon final installation. It should be mentionedat this point that each step of installation of a section of the trimpiece on a section of the handrail is best performed by beginning at oneend of the length of handrail and working progressively along the restof the length of the handrail toward the other end.

Upon attaining the position illustrated in FIG. 1B, the retainer flange36 of the trim piece can be pushed over the extremity of theretainerflange 38 of the retainer by applying'a force at the medial portion ofthe trim piece in the manner depicted generally by the arrows in FIG.11C of the drawings, again working from one end toward the other end.Such a force reduces the angle between the mutual divergent portions 62and 64 of the trim piece and thereby enlarges the dimension of the trimpiece in the generally vertical direction, thereby allowing therespective retainer flanges 36 and 38 of the two parts to clear eachother. Upon attaining the shape depicted in FIG. 1C, which inherentlystores energy in the trim piece, the stored energy is recovered in theform of forces that reduce the angle between the mutually divergentportions and thereby draw the lower end of the trim piece into positionwith the respective retainer flanges 36 and 38 of the parts in capturedrelation, as illustrated in phantom lines in IC and in full view in FIG.1.

An impact to the trim piece of the handrail illustrated in FIG. 1 (FIGS.1A, 1B and 1C) produces an effect essentially the same as that providedby the installation force applied along the frontal extremity generallyin the direction of the arrows illustrated in FIG. 1C; to wit, an impactopens up the angle between the divergent portions which involves thestorage of energy in the trim member. Upon termination of the impact,the stored energy generates forces that return the trim piece intoposition. In the meantime, the energy of the impact is thus absorbed bythe trim member and has a limited influence or affect on the retainer orthe mounting by which the handrail is mounted. Although it is notevident from the drawings, there is some absorption of energy throughdeformation and deflection of the handgrip portion of the trim piece,although the degree of such energy absorption is small. It will also benoted that almost all impacts will occur at the outward extremity of thetrim piece, which is a zone that is at generally a maximum distance fromtwo areas where the trim piece is supported through engagement with theretainer; accordingly, impact forces are imposed at a region that is themost subject to deformation through flexure and the energy absorptioncharacteristics of the trim piece are used to the maximum extent.

It will be observed that the area of engagement between the handgripportions of the trim piece and the retainer is substantial. Accordingly,the retainer, which is substantially rigid and sufficiently strong toendure rather heavy loads, including impact loads, provides for a rigid,strong, firm, supporting, hand hold portion of the handrail which is, ofcourse, essential if the handrail is to function properly in its primaryrole as a support to assist persons moving about. Thus, significantresilient deformation or deflection of the handgrip portion of ahandrail, according to the invention, is to be avoided. The impactresistance and toughness of the material of the trim piece permit it toendure almost any impact likely to occur in the normal use of thefacilities in which the handrail is employed. Even a direct frontalimpact generally perpendicular to the handrail should be sustainedwithout damage to the handrail or its mounting. In any case, mostimpacts are likely to be glancing blows delivered at relatively smallangles to the longitudinal axis of the handrail.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 of the drawings includes a trim piece 32 havinga medial portion 70 that is generally planar, a hand hold portion 72that curves through an angle somewhat greater than 180 and mergessmoothly with a medial portion and an outwardly convexly curved lowerportion 76 that merges smoothly with the medial portion 70 and alsocurves through an angle slightly in excess of 180. Each of the convexlycurved portions 72 and 76 is formed with a return flange 78. It isappropriate to make the trim piece 32 of the embodiment of FIG. 2symmetrical about a longitudinal, horizontal plane (relative to theposition illustrated in FIG. 2) so that it can be mounted in either ofits two relatively upside down positions.

The retainer 30 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 includes a medial portionconsisting of a generally planar center part 80, a pair of generallyL-shaped portions 82 and slotted portions 84 connected to the planarportions 80 by the L-shaped portions 82 and defining slots that opengenerally away from the trim piece. The center legs of the L-shapedportions 82 provide, in effect, continuations of the curvatures of theupper and lower convexly curved portions 72 and 76 of the trim piece andthus provide continuity between the trim piece and the rearwardly facingpart of the retainer. A handgrip portion 88 extends from the upperslotted portion 84 of the retainer and is shaped to match the curvatureof the handgrip portion 72 (or the curved portion 76) of the trim pieceand is in engagement with such portion. The handgrip portion 88 of theretainer, however, terminates some distance away from the juncturebetween the handgrip portion 72 and the medial portion of the trimpiece, thereby leaving a space 90 between the trim piece and a generallydownwardly extending leg 92 connected at the extremity of the handgripportion 80 of the retainer. The leg 92 has a dove-tail shaped slot 94that receives a correspondingly shaped projection 96 on the back of aresilient cushion or shockabsorber element 98.

At the lower portion of the retainer 30, still considering it incross-section, is the retainer flange 38 that forms one wall of the slotin the lower slotted portion 84. A cam portion 100 extends from theflange 38 generally toward the medial portion of the trim piece andterminates in a leg 102 that is disposed generally vertically and isformed with a dove-tail slot 104 of the same size and shape as the slot94 in the upper leg 92. A shock-absorber element 98 which, in theembodiment, is identical to the shock-absorber element in the upper leg92, is installed in the dovetail slot 104 of the lower leg 102 of theretainer.

Each of the shock absorbent elements 98 is a member made of a moderatelyresilient elastomeric material. It may be extruded from an appropriateelastomeric material and extend continuously along the length of theretainer. It is interposed, as illustrated in FIG. 2, between the trimpiece 32 and the retainer 30 and is present to absorb impact and toisolate the retainer from forces due to impact on the trim piece.

The functions of the various parts of the trim piece and retainer in thehandrail, as constructed in accordance with FIG. 2 of the drawings, arebetter understood by reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C of the drawings.More particularly, the trim piece 32 is installed on the retainer byhooking the free edge of the uppermost retainer flange 78 of the trimpiece into the upper slot 84 of the retainer, as illustrated in phantomlines in FIG. 2A. The trim piece is then rolled downwardly in a mannergenerally rotating the trim piece about the point of engagement betweenthe extremity of the flange 78 and the slot 84 to reach the positionillustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2A. The force applied is generallyalong a variable direction near the bottom of the trim piece to producethe pivoting motion. A continued application of the force generallydepicted by the arrows in FIG. 2A pushes the end of the lower curvedportion 76 into engagement with a convexly curved portion 100a of thecam portion 100 of the retainer. As initially formed, the dimension Ibetween the extremities of the curved portions of the trim piece issomewhat less than the dimension between the cam surface 100a and theupper retainer slot 84, the dimension G in FIG. 2B. In addition, thedimension H between each of the extremities of the return flanges 78 onthe trim piece and points generally opposite such extremities on themedial portion of the trim piece is somewhat less than the finaldimension at the same region when the trim piece is in place on theretainer. Accordingly, the installation of the trim pieceon the retainerinvolves deformation of the trim piece from its original shape and thestorage of energy that is recovered in the form of forces that hold thetrim piece in place on the retainer. Inasmuch as the geometricalrelationships between the trim piece and the retainer in cross-sectioninvolve securely capturing the trim piece on the retainer, the preloadand initial deformation need not be substantial. However, in order topush the trim piece into final position on the retainer it is necessaryto open up the dimension G sufficiently for the extremity of the lowercurved portion 76 to ride over the lower retainer flange 38 on theretainer. This is best accomplished in a two-step operation.

More particularly, the cam portion 100 on the lower portion of theretainer includes an outwardly concavely curved portion 10012 that isset back some distance toward the upper slot relative to the convexlycurved portion 100a. Accordingly, the trim piece, once it is pushed overthe convexly curved portion 100a, tends to pull itself down into theconcavely curved portion 100b. Actually the operations depicted in FIGS.2A and 2B are best performed in sequencebeginning at one end of a lengthof the handrail and moving progressively toward the other end. After thetrim piece is in the position illustrated in FIG. 2B, furtherapplication of force along the lower portion of the medial part of thetrim piece in the direction of the arrows indicated in FIG. 2C urges theextremity of the curved portions 76 out over the retainer flange 38 onthe retainer. 'Ihe downwardly facing surface of the retainer flange 38is concavely curved to facilitate smoothly urging the trim piece intofinal position. Moreover, the curvature of the downwardly facing surfaceof the flange 38 near the rearward extremity (relative to the front ofthe trim piece) tends to allow the trim piece to pull itself intoposition by its inherent resiliency and the preload. In particular, thedimension between the curved portions opens up resiliently to allow thetrim piece to be received in final position, and the stored force tendsto help pull the lower end into position. The lower cushion 98 isdeformed in the process of installing the trim piece, therebyfacilitating final positioning. The inherent resiliency of the trimpiece and the preload forces developed as it is installed, plus theresiliency of the lower cushion 98 ultimately bring the trim piece intofinal position (see FIG. 2) and maintain it in that position.

An impact to the trim piece produces deformation and deflection of thetrim piece relative to the retainer. Such deformation and deflectionresults in deformation of the shock-absorbing elements 98, and theabsorption of the energy of an impact is shared between the shockabsorbing elements and the trim piece. Thus the impact absorbingcharacteristics of the embodiment of FIG. 2 resemble those provided bythe embodiment of FIG. 1.

Inasmuch as a handrail according to the invention is a hollow structure,it is desirable for esthetic and functional reasons to provide end capsat both ends of a length of handrail with the possible exception of anend that terminates at a corner where only one of the meeting walls hasa handrail. Even where two handrails meet at angles, it is best toprovide an appropriate end cap.

FIGS. 3 to 7 of the drawings illustrate exemplary forms of end caps thathave been developed, in accordance with invention, to providesubstantial durability and capability of taking impacts to an extent.commensurate with the capability of handrails themselves. Since the endcaps are at free ends of the handrail sections, they are highly subjectto frontal impact by a misguided cart or other object and must be veryrigidly and strongly secured to the handrail. Moreover, it is desirablethat they be readily installed in the field with a minimum of fieldfitting and other field operations.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a form of end cap 106 composed of anappropriately shaped, generally blunt external portion 108 and arelatively long internal portion 109 (internal in the sense that it isreceived telescopically with the end portion of the trim piece andretainer). As evident from the figures, the external portion 108 has atits juncture with the end of the trim piece a shape matching theexternal surface of the trim piece so that there is contiguity betweenthe surface of the external portion 108 of the end cap 106 and theexternal surface of the trim piece. The internal portion 109, as may bebest seen in FIG. 4 of the drawings, has a cross-sectional shapematching the shape of the internal surface of the trim piece.Accordingly, the internal portion 109 tends to shape and size the endportion of v the trim piece and maintain the contiguity between theexternal surfaces of the trim piece and the end cap. Moreover, thematching shapes of the internal portion and the trim piece provide forsecure telescoping relation between them, thereby providing a durableinstallation of the trim piece. The end cap 106 may be glued into thetrim piece.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an installation in which the trim piece extendsa short distance longitudinally beyond the end of the retainer of thehandrail to an extent slightly greater than the length of the internalportion 109 of the trim piece. Such an installation means that thedeflection of the trim piece in the end portion occupied the end cap isnot impeded by engagement of the end cap with the retainer. Accordingly,the end of a handrail so installed will deflect upon impact. Analternative installation of essentially the same form of end cap willinvolve terminating both the trim piece and the retainer at the sametransverse or cross-sectional plane and shaping the internal portion 109of the end cap appropriately to engage the retainer. In this case, how

ever, the end portion of the handrail and the end cap are rigidlyrelated, and the end portion is incapable of deflecting.

The end cap depicted in FIG. 5 of the drawings includes an appropriatelysculptured external portion 110, the portion of which immediatelyadjacent to the end of the trim member 32 matches the external surfaceof the trim member to provide contiguity. The end cap further includesan internal portion 112 that matches the internal shape and size of thetrim piece and is telescopically received within it. As is evident inthe cut-away portion of FIG. 5, a bracket 114 extends out of theinternal portion 113 of the cap and into the end cap. An end cap may bemade of a durable impact resistant plastic, and the bracket 114appropriately cast or molded in place when the end cap is fabricated.

As is evident from the end cross-sectional portion of FIG. 5, thebracket is composed of a base 116 and three mutually divergent legs 118,the outer two of which terminate in outwardly open generally C-shapedportions 120. The retainer is similar in cross-section to the embodimentas shown in FIG. 1 but has been modified by adding beads 122 at theupper and lower portion of the retainer that are received within theC-shaped portions 120 of the upper and lower legs 118 of the bracket114. Consequently, the end cap is installed by sliding it endwise ontothe end of the retainer, preferably prior to installing the trim piece.Adhesive may be employed to ensure retention of the end cap, or screwsor other fasteners installed through the bracket and the retainer.

The end cap illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings is quitesimilar to that illustrated in FIG. 5, except that it has across-sectional shape appropriate for use as an end cap for theembodiment of the handrail illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Likethe embodiment of FIG. 5, the end cap in FIG. 6 has a sculpturedexternal portion 130, an internal portion 132 that telescopes into theend of the handrail, and a bracket 134 which, as illustrated in dottedlines in FIG. 6 extends into the internal portion and external portionof the end cap, preferably by being cast in place. The bracket is of asubstantially uniform cross-section along its length and includes a base136 and three diverging flanges 138, the outer ones of which areoriented to match the external surface of the retainer. The two outermost flanges 138 have generally C-shaped hook portions 140 that receivematching beads 142 formed on the retainer. It is evident that the endcap may be slid into place at the end of the retainer and appropriatelysecured by glue or fasteners.

The above described embodiments of the invention are intended to bemerely exemplary, and numerous variations and modifications may readilybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

We claim:

1. A handrail comprising:

an elongated substantially rigid retainer constituting the primarystructural components of the handrail, the retainer being ofsubstantially uniform cross section along its length and having incross-section a medial portion, an outwardly opened convexly curvedhandgrip portion at one end of the medial portion and a retainer flangeportion at the other end of the medial portion; and

an elongated trim piece received on the retainer, the

trim piece being a member made of a durable impact-resistant resilientmaterial adapted to flex toward the retainer upon impact and having asubstantially uniform cross-section along its length, the trim piecehaving in cross-section a medial portion spaced from the medial portionof the retainer, the space adapted to allow the medial portion of thetrim piece to flex inwards upon impact, an outwardly convexly andsmoothly curved handgrip portion at one end of the medial portion, thecurvature of at least a part of the handgrip portion of the trim piecesubstantially matching the curvature of at least a part of the handgripportion of the retainer and such matching portions being in engagementwith each other such that the handgrip portion of the trim piece issubstantially rigidly supported and maintained in position by thehandgrip portion of the retainer such that one end of the trim piece isretained on the retainer and the flange portion of the trim piece beingreceived on and captured by the retainer flange of the retainer.

2. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the retainer and trim piecetogether define in cross-section a closed box-like structure, therespective medial portions of the retainer and trim piece definingopposite walls of such box-like structure.

3. A handrail according to claim 2, wherein the handgrip portions of thetrim piece and retainer curve away from the respective medial portionsthereof in opposite directions, as viewed in end cross-section, toprovide engagement of said matching portions thereof.

4. A handrail according to claim 3, wherein the handgrip portion of thetrim piece is curved to an extent such that the minimum dimension (incross-section) between the free end thereof and a point oppositetherefrom on the medial portion of the trim piece is substantially lessthan the maximum dimension across the opening defined within thehandgrip portion, wherein the free end of the handgrip portion of thetrim piece engages a point on the handgrip portion of the retainerintermediate the free end thereof and the medial portion of theretainer, and wherein said point of engagement is substantially closerto a part of the trim piece opposite therefrom than are other pointsintermediate said point of engagement and the free end thereof, wherebythe handgrip portion of the trim piece embraces and is captured by thehandgrip portion of the retainer.

5. A handrail according to claim 2, wherein the retainer is orientedrelative to the medial portion of the trim piece such that the free endthereof points generally away from the medial portion of the trim pieceand wherein the flange portion of the trim piece is oriented relative tothe medial portion of the trim piece such that the free end thereofpoints generally toward the medial portion of the trim piece, theretainer flange portion of the retainer and the flange portion of thetrim piece thereby interengaging to retain the trim piece on theretainer while affording upon an impact to the trim piece resilientdeformation of the trim piece and displacement of the flange portion ofthe trim piece relative to the retainer flange portion of the retainer.

6. A handrail according to claim 1, further comprising resilient meansinterposed between the trim piece and the retainer for absorbing impactenergy upon an impact to the trim piece, thereby at least partially toisolate the retainer from impact forces, and for permitting controlledresilient deformation of the trim piece and displacement of the trimpiece relative to the retainer.

7. A handrail according to claim 6, wherein the resilient means includesat least one resiliently deformable spacer positioned between the trimpiece and the retainer.

8. A handrail according to claim 7, wherein the deformable space iselongated and extends substantially continuously along the length of theretainer and trim piece.

9. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the trim piece as installedon the retainer is under a deformation relative to its initial shape andholds itself in position on the retainer by forces generated by theenergy stored in it by virtue of such deformation.

10. A handrail according to claim 2, wherein the retainer and trim pieceare substantially coextensive to provide a unit, and further comprisingan end piece at the end of the retainer-trim piece unit, the end piecebeing a body of durable impact resistant material and beingsubstantially rigidly installed on such unit, the end piece having atthe portion thereof immediately outwardly of the end of said unit anexternal surface that is substantially contiguous to the externalsurface of the trim piece and covers the otherwise open end of thebox-like structure formed by said unit.

11. A handrail according to claim 10, wherein the end piece furtherincludes a mounting portion extending into the space within the box-likestructure formed by said unit, said mounting portion having incrosssection a shape closely matching the shape of the internal surfacesof the trim piece and retainer and in close fitting engagement therewithso as to insure contiguity between the trim piece and end piece.

12. A handrailaccording to claim 10, further comprising a mountingbracket for the endpiece having a portion securely joined to the endpiece and a portion securely joined to the retainer.

13. A handrail according to claim 12, wherein the bracket includes aportion extending into and embedded within the' end piece.

14. A handrail according to claim 12, wherein a portion of the bracketextends into the space within the box-like retainer-trim piece unit, theportion thereof within the unit being of substantially uniformcrosssection, such cross-section including a substantial portionmatching the cross-section of a portion of the retainer and inengagement with such retainer portion.

15. A handrail according to claim 14, wherein said portion of thebracket within the unit and the retainer have matching mutuallyinterfitting tongue-and-groove formations to retain the bracket rigidlyon the retainer.

16. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the medial portion of thetrim piece has in cross-section a pair of angularly related leg portionsdiverging from an apex portion.

17. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the media] portion of thetrim piece is substantially flat.

18. A handrail according to claim 17, wherein the handgrip portion andthe flange portion of the trim piece are of matching shape incross-section.

19. A handrail according to claim 18, wherein the retainer includes incross-section a pair of spaced apart leg portions positioned inproximate spaced relation to the medial portion of the trim piece, andfurther comprising an elongated resilient spacer disposed between and inengagement with each leg portion of the retainer and a zone of themedial portion of the trim piece.

20. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the retaineradjacent the flange portion thereof 14 is shaped and dimensioned as acam surface for engagement by the flange portion of the trimpiece toguide the flange portion of the trim piece into captured position inretaining engagement with the flange portion of the retainer.

21. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein both the retainer and thetrim piece includes in cross-section a pair of divergent portions,corresponding divergent portions of the retainer and trim piececonverging, one divergent portion of the trim piece smoothly merginginto the convexly curved handgrip portion thereof and the divergentportion of the retainer corresponding to said one divergent portion ofthe trim piece terminating at a zone or intersection with the handgripportion of the retainer to define a slot opening generally away from thetrim piece, said slot receiving and capturing a freeend of the handgripportion of the trim piece.

22. A handrail according to claim 21, wherein a portion of the handgripportion of the trim piece and a corresponding portion of the handgripportion of the retainer in facing relation thereto outwardly from saidslot, relative to the medial point of the retainer, are spaced apart anddefine, in end cross-section, a gener ally crescent-shaped open space.

23.-A handrail according to claim 21, wherein the other divergentportion of the trim piece and the corresponding divergent portion of theretainer in facing relation thereto engage adjacent the ends thereof,wherein the retainer flange of the retainer turns generally away fromthe trim piece in generally coplanar relation to and in engagement withsaid other divergent portion of the trim piece, and wherein the trimpiece includes a retainer flange on the end of said other divergentportion and defining a slot opening generally toward the medial portionof the trim piece and receiving the retainer flange therein.

24. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the re tainer includes incross-section a pair of spaced apart slots opening generally away fromthe trim piece, and wherein the trim piece in cross-section includes agenerally flat medial portion, and convexly curved portions mergingsmoothly with the medial portion, one of such curved portions being thehandgrip portion, the convexly curved portions curving smoothly throughat least and including end portions that return at least slightlygenerally toward the medial portion, and the trimpiece further includingthe end of each curved portion and flange portion received in acorresponding slot in the retainer.

25. A handrail according to claim 24, wherein the trim piece issubstantially symmetrical in each part thereof on either side of alongitudinal bisector plane.

1. A handrail comprising: an elongated substantially rigid retainerconstituting the primary structural components of the handrail, theretainer being of substantially uniform cross-section along its lengthand having in cross-section a medial portion, an outwardly openedconvexly curved handgrip portion at one end of the medial portion and aretainer flange portion at the other end of the medial portion; and anelongated trim piece received on the retainer, the trim piece being amember made of a durable impact-resistant resilient material adapted toflex toward the retainer upon impact and having a substantially uniformcross-section along its length, the trim piece having in cross-section amedial portion spaced from the medial portion of the retainer, the spaceadapted to allow the medial portion of the trim piece to flex inwardsupon impact, an outwardly convexly and smoothly curved handgrip portionat one end of the medial portion, the curvature of at least a part ofthe handgrip portion of the trim piece substantially matching thecurvature of at least a part of the handgrip portion of the retainer andsuch matching portions being in engagement with each other such that thehandgrip portion of the trim piece is substantially rigidly supportedand maintained in position by the handgrip portion of the retainer suchthat one end of the Trim piece is retained on the retainer and theflange portion of the trim piece being received on and captured by theretainer flange of the retainer.
 2. A handrail according to claim 1,wherein the retainer and trim piece together define in cross-section aclosed box-like structure, the respective medial portions of theretainer and trim piece defining opposite walls of such box-likestructure.
 3. A handrail according to claim 2, wherein the handgripportions of the trim piece and retainer curve away from the respectivemedial portions thereof in opposite directions, as viewed in endcross-section, to provide engagement of said matching portions thereof.4. A handrail according to claim 3, wherein the handgrip portion of thetrim piece is curved to an extent such that the minimum dimension (incross-section) between the free end thereof and a point oppositetherefrom on the medial portion of the trim piece is substantially lessthan the maximum dimension across the opening defined within thehandgrip portion, wherein the free end of the handgrip portion of thetrim piece engages a point on the handgrip portion of the retainerintermediate the free end thereof and the medial portion of theretainer, and wherein said point of engagement is substantially closerto a part of the trim piece opposite therefrom than are other pointsintermediate said point of engagement and the free end thereof, wherebythe handgrip portion of the trim piece embraces and is captured by thehandgrip portion of the retainer.
 5. A handrail according to claim 2,wherein the retainer is oriented relative to the medial portion of thetrim piece such that the free end thereof points generally away from themedial portion of the trim piece and wherein the flange portion of thetrim piece is oriented relative to the medial portion of the trim piecesuch that the free end thereof points generally toward the medialportion of the trim piece, the retainer flange portion of the retainerand the flange portion of the trim piece thereby interengaging to retainthe trim piece on the retainer while affording upon an impact to thetrim piece resilient deformation of the trim piece and displacement ofthe flange portion of the trim piece relative to the retainer flangeportion of the retainer.
 6. A handrail according to claim 1, furthercomprising resilient means interposed between the trim piece and theretainer for absorbing impact energy upon an impact to the trim piece,thereby at least partially to isolate the retainer from impact forces,and for permitting controlled resilient deformation of the trim pieceand displacement of the trim piece relative to the retainer.
 7. Ahandrail according to claim 6, wherein the resilient means includes atleast one resiliently deformable spacer positioned between the trimpiece and the retainer.
 8. A handrail according to claim 7, wherein thedeformable space is elongated and extends substantially continuouslyalong the length of the retainer and trim piece.
 9. A handrail accordingto claim 1, wherein the trim piece as installed on the retainer is undera deformation relative to its initial shape and holds itself in positionon the retainer by forces generated by the energy stored in it by virtueof such deformation.
 10. A handrail according to claim 2, wherein theretainer and trim piece are substantially coextensive to provide a unit,and further comprising an end piece at the end of the retainer-trimpiece unit, the end piece being a body of durable impact resistantmaterial and being substantially rigidly installed on such unit, the endpiece having at the portion thereof immediately outwardly of the end ofsaid unit an external surface that is substantially contiguous to theexternal surface of the trim piece and covers the otherwise open end ofthe box-like structure formed by said unit.
 11. A handrail according toclaim 10, wherein the end piece further includes a mounting portionextending into the space within the box-like structure forMed by saidunit, said mounting portion having in cross-section a shape closelymatching the shape of the internal surfaces of the trim piece andretainer and in close fitting engagement therewith so as to insurecontiguity between the trim piece and end piece.
 12. A handrailaccording to claim 10, further comprising a mounting bracket for the endpiece having a portion securely joined to the end piece and a portionsecurely joined to the retainer.
 13. A handrail according to claim 12,wherein the bracket includes a portion extending into and embeddedwithin the end piece.
 14. A handrail according to claim 12, wherein aportion of the bracket extends into the space within the box-likeretainer-trim piece unit, the portion thereof within the unit being ofsubstantially uniform cross-section, such cross-section including asubstantial portion matching the cross-section of a portion of theretainer and in engagement with such retainer portion.
 15. A handrailaccording to claim 14, wherein said portion of the bracket within theunit and the retainer have matching mutually interfittingtongue-and-groove formations to retain the bracket rigidly on theretainer.
 16. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the medialportion of the trim piece has in cross-section a pair of angularlyrelated leg portions diverging from an apex portion.
 17. A handrailaccording to claim 1, wherein the medial portion of the trim piece issubstantially flat.
 18. A handrail according to claim 17, wherein thehandgrip portion and the flange portion of the trim piece are ofmatching shape in cross-section.
 19. A handrail according to claim 18,wherein the retainer includes in cross-section a pair of spaced apartleg portions positioned in proximate spaced relation to the medialportion of the trim piece, and further comprising an elongated resilientspacer disposed between and in engagement with each leg portion of theretainer and a zone of the medial portion of the trim piece.
 20. Ahandrail according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the retaineradjacent the flange portion thereof is shaped and dimensioned as a camsurface for engagement by the flange portion of the trim piece to guidethe flange portion of the trim piece into captured position in retainingengagement with the flange portion of the retainer.
 21. A handrailaccording to claim 1, wherein both the retainer and the trim pieceincludes in cross-section a pair of divergent portions, correspondingdivergent portions of the retainer and trim piece converging, onedivergent portion of the trim piece smoothly merging into the convexlycurved handgrip portion thereof and the divergent portion of theretainer corresponding to said one divergent portion of the trim pieceterminating at a zone or intersection with the handgrip portion of theretainer to define a slot opening generally away from the trim piece,said slot receiving and capturing a free end of the handgrip portion ofthe trim piece.
 22. A handrail according to claim 21, wherein a portionof the handgrip portion of the trim piece and a corresponding portion ofthe handgrip portion of the retainer in facing relation theretooutwardly from said slot, relative to the medial point of the retainer,are spaced apart and define, in end cross-section, a generallycrescent-shaped open space.
 23. A handrail according to claim 21,wherein the other divergent portion of the trim piece and thecorresponding divergent portion of the retainer in facing relationthereto engage adjacent the ends thereof, wherein the retainer flange ofthe retainer turns generally away from the trim piece in generallycoplanar relation to and in engagement with said other divergent portionof the trim piece, and wherein the trim piece includes a retainer flangeon the end of said other divergent portion and defining a slot openinggenerally toward the medial portion of the trim piece and receiving theretainer flange therein.
 24. A handrail according to claim 1, whereinthe rEtainer includes in cross-section a pair of spaced apart slotsopening generally away from the trim piece, and wherein the trim piecein cross-section includes a generally flat medial portion, and convexlycurved portions merging smoothly with the medial portion, one of suchcurved portions being the handgrip portion, the convexly curved portionscurving smoothly through at least 180* and including end portions thatreturn at least slightly generally toward the medial portion, and thetrim piece further including the end of each curved portion and flangeportion received in a corresponding slot in the retainer.
 25. A handrailaccording to claim 24, wherein the trim piece is substantiallysymmetrical in each part thereof on either side of a longitudinalbisector plane.